IN a little over a year, nightmare tenants inflicted tens of thousands of pounds of damage on the Darlington house where they lived, David Roberts takes a
tour of the trashed property.

BROKEN glass litters the porch, a jagged foretaste of what is to come.

At first I tread carefully, trying to avoid the razor sharp splinters, but it becomes quickly obvious there’s no point for there is barely any part of the floors and carpets that aren’t covered in
shattered debris.

Worse is to come. Further inside, by the dim light slicing through the boarded up windows, the full extent of the damage can be revealed.

On the hall stairs, the spindles have all been kicked out and the banister rail hangs precariously - held by just a few thin pieces of wood.

Paint is splashed across the walls in what was once the living room, in some places an inch thick. But this was no attempt at redecorating. The discarded paint pot lies on it side, its contents
pooling on a carpet which, only a few months before, was brand new.

Flies buzz through the entire house and the reason soon becomes apparent.

“You don’t want to see the bathroom,” warns one of the workmen, attempting the herculean task of trying to piece the house back together.

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The toilet bowl is overflowing with a mound of excrement, toilet roll and sanitary towels piled inches above the bowl.

What is more worrying, is that it’ss obvious people lived in such squalour by choice.

It wasn’t always this way. Landlord, Glenn Schofield lovingly redecorated every room of the four-bedroomed house in Westbrook Terrace, Darlington, prior to the tenants moving in last June.

His photographs show a bright, airy building with tall ceilings and period features including the tiled fireplace in the living room. Now the tiles lie shattered on the floor and paint is smeared
around the grille.

Dank mattress covered in dubious stains lie on the floors of the bedrooms. In the front bedroom, a brown spray pattern, looking suspiciously like blood creeps up the wall, covered only by a
children’s card.

Many of the upstairs ceilings have collapsed after lead flashing was taken from the roof, causing water to seep through.

For Mr Schofield, it is almost too much to bear. It has taken months to evict the tenants and now he faces a repair bill liable to run into the tens of thousands.

“It’s indescribable how I feel,” he said. “I’ve done everything by the book and I don’t know how much it’s going to cost to repair.

“I don’t even know yet whether the insurance company will pay out for it.

“If they don’t pay out, then I’m really in the mire.”

The house was let through an agency and the tenants even provided references, now presumed to be false. Problems started shortly after they moved in and when the rent abruptly stopped being paid in
February, Mr Schofield began eviction proceedings.

“It’s took me until now to get them out,” he said. “I don’t understand why it took so long. If you provide false references for a job, you can out be straight away. Why can’t it work with a house?”

PC John Forster of the North Road beat team in Darlington has vowed to do his best to ensure the culprits feel the full force of the law.

“Normally when there’s a problem with landlords and tenants it tends to be resolved as a civil case,” he said.

“However, here the level of destruction is so high that it’s criminal damage without a doubt. It’s just reckless destruction.

“The upsetting things is the level of pride Mr Schofield took in the house and then someone comes in and trashes it throughout.”

As Mr Schofield returns to sweeping up the shattered glass, the damage to his house may be repaired, but it is doubtful whether his trust in people will ever be restored quite so easily.

I suspect that that these were DSS tennants who were housed there at taxpayers expense. Whilst I sympathise with landlords who are victims and do not condone this, it must be said that when you decide you will take DSS tennants (which is not forced upon you) you take the risk of having disruptive and anti social people. Many landlords do this as its a guarunteed cashcow for them and they deliberately seek out this market to make big money, most social landlords dont care as long as they get their tennants housing benefit money off the DSS. I having been in some of these houses/flats and some of them are Dickension in squalor. Bottom line is its a choice you make as landlord, guarunteed money through the DSS route or not guarunteed money through private tennants, either way its a gamble which most landlords are prepared to risk in order to get lots of cash.

I suspect that that these were DSS tennants who were housed there at taxpayers expense. Whilst I sympathise with landlords who are victims and do not condone this, it must be said that when you decide you will take DSS tennants (which is not forced upon you) you take the risk of having disruptive and anti social people. Many landlords do this as its a guarunteed cashcow for them and they deliberately seek out this market to make big money, most social landlords dont care as long as they get their tennants housing benefit money off the DSS. I having been in some of these houses/flats and some of them are Dickension in squalor. Bottom line is its a choice you make as landlord, guarunteed money through the DSS route or not guarunteed money through private tennants, either way its a gamble which most landlords are prepared to risk in order to get lots of cash.stevegg

Absolutely Agree !! Name them but you won't shame the scum that could do something like this. At least if they were named they could be blacklisted from other rented property. What happened to the agents ? Did they not come out and check the property?

Absolutely Agree !! Name them but you won't shame the scum that could do something like this. At least if they were named they could be blacklisted from other rented property. What happened to the agents ? Did they not come out and check the property?your joking

I agree with stevegg but not all DSS tennets should be tared like this scum all DSS tennets details should be made available to landlords & if damage has been done it should be taken off their benifit

I agree with stevegg but not all DSS tennets should be tared like this scum all DSS tennets details should be made available to landlords & if damage has been done it should be taken off their benifitgandalf

The problem that nobody has seemed to realise is that benefits go directly to the tenants now and it is near impossible for the money to go directly to the landlord so it is most certainly not a 'guaranteed cashcow'. I work for a letting agent in Darlington and inspections are done monthly so I can only imagine the letting agent either had nothing more to do with it anymore or were extremely incompetent.
All laws and regulations protect the tenants even when a tenant has left the property in a state the deposit protection services who protect the bonds favour them in any decision made and the landlord is once again left with the bill.
It has long been requested a database of tenants who have done this in the past be created but once again data protection laws protect them and leave the landlords in firing line for things like this to happen.

The problem that nobody has seemed to realise is that benefits go directly to the tenants now and it is near impossible for the money to go directly to the landlord so it is most certainly not a 'guaranteed cashcow'. I work for a letting agent in Darlington and inspections are done monthly so I can only imagine the letting agent either had nothing more to do with it anymore or were extremely incompetent.
All laws and regulations protect the tenants even when a tenant has left the property in a state the deposit protection services who protect the bonds favour them in any decision made and the landlord is once again left with the bill.
It has long been requested a database of tenants who have done this in the past be created but once again data protection laws protect them and leave the landlords in firing line for things like this to happen.01325CP

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.antihypocrisy

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.antihypocrisy

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.antihypocrisy

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.antihypocrisy

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.antihypocrisy

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.

There is another issue I feel and that is letting out to DSS on private estates, I used to live in a nice quiet close but its now beginning to sound and look like Chatsworth!! The landlords/letting agencies dont car as long as the rents are paid and of course the good ole housing benefit sorts that.(THE TAXPAYERS)Why does a family claiming Housing Benefit need a detached house?? A detached house is something I aspired to and worked well over 30 years to achieve, its just a smack in the face to all hard working families to see benefit dependent families rewarded with the same.antihypocrisy

My heart goes out to Mr Schofield, I live overseas and I read the Nthrn Echo daily. Reading stories like this are a sad statement of the lifestyle some residents of Darlington are living. I only hope that some locals can assist Mr Schofield in repairing the damage to his home. I had a similiar incident happen to my property in Darlington many years ago. It took me 5 years to get my house back to normal. I saw on the news, an army of broom yeilding do gooders descended on Clapham the morning after the London riots. Well, I hope an army of skilled workers descend on Mr Schofields house and restore faith in human nature by giving him 4 hours of their time and skills to right this dreadful wrong. Come on England, you get back what you put in, help always comes to those who help others.

My heart goes out to Mr Schofield, I live overseas and I read the Nthrn Echo daily. Reading stories like this are a sad statement of the lifestyle some residents of Darlington are living. I only hope that some locals can assist Mr Schofield in repairing the damage to his home. I had a similiar incident happen to my property in Darlington many years ago. It took me 5 years to get my house back to normal. I saw on the news, an army of broom yeilding do gooders descended on Clapham the morning after the London riots. Well, I hope an army of skilled workers descend on Mr Schofields house and restore faith in human nature by giving him 4 hours of their time and skills to right this dreadful wrong. Come on England, you get back what you put in, help always comes to those who help others.loosemink

It's alright the landlords complaining about the state of their properties, these landlords should come and live next door to some of his tennants and see what the "normal" people living in the street have to put up with with HIS tennants!! My experience of landlords...........
..they dont give a hoot so long as they get there cash every month!

It's alright the landlords complaining about the state of their properties, these landlords should come and live next door to some of his tennants and see what the "normal" people living in the street have to put up with with HIS tennants!! My experience of landlords...........
..they dont give a hoot so long as they get there cash every month!Mackam

This is such a shame. I am a landlord and am very very lucky to have a smashing DSS tenant who respects the property and adds a lot to our local community. I do agree, there are many landlords who treat their tenants no better than a commodity to top up their bank accts every month.
It sounds sound like the agents may need their heads knocking off the wall though......what exactly was he paying them to do? Our agents are brilliant and always insist on at least a phone call to referees and definitely to the last landlord.
Home/roost/chickens.

This is such a shame. I am a landlord and am very very lucky to have a smashing DSS tenant who respects the property and adds a lot to our local community. I do agree, there are many landlords who treat their tenants no better than a commodity to top up their bank accts every month.
It sounds sound like the agents may need their heads knocking off the wall though......what exactly was he paying them to do? Our agents are brilliant and always insist on at least a phone call to referees and definitely to the last landlord.
Home/roost/chickens.Copley23

Well to those of you who are shocked and live in a so called nice area with nice neighbours, lucky for you, there should of titled this with
"Coming to an area near you"
well done echo for sharing what most people already know.
The law is pathetic on this subject.

Well to those of you who are shocked and live in a so called nice area with nice neighbours, lucky for you, there should of titled this with
"Coming to an area near you"
well done echo for sharing what most people already know.
The law is pathetic on this subject.kendizx9r

@antihypocrisy you need to take a look in the mirror not all dss are alike i have ended up on dss and are private renting and i am really house proud not all of dss should be tarred with the same brush my house would probably put you to shame

@antihypocrisy you need to take a look in the mirror not all dss are alike i have ended up on dss and are private renting and i am really house proud not all of dss should be tarred with the same brush my house would probably put you to shamenik_naks

@antihypocrisy you need to take a look in the mirror not all dss are alike i have ended up on dss and are private renting and i am really house proud not all of dss should be tarred with the same brush my house would probably put you to shame

@antihypocrisy you need to take a look in the mirror not all dss are alike i have ended up on dss and are private renting and i am really house proud not all of dss should be tarred with the same brush my house would probably put you to shamenik_naks

@antihypocrisy you need to take a look in the mirror not all dss are alike i have ended up on dss and are private renting and i am really house proud not all of dss should be tarred with the same brush my house would probably put you to shame

@antihypocrisy you need to take a look in the mirror not all dss are alike i have ended up on dss and are private renting and i am really house proud not all of dss should be tarred with the same brush my house would probably put you to shamenik_naks

The animals that have done this need to be named and shamed. Good on the police treating this as criminal damage.

Not all DSS tenants are bad news, however I do agree that the benefits system is all wrong to enable career-DSS tenants to be able to live in highly desirable neighbourhoods, that the average working family aspire to, and indeed could take most of their working lives to be able to afford to live in such areas..

It makes my P**s boil to think that my taxes contribute to the lifestyles of the scum that have done this to Mr Schofield.

These people should be devoid of help from the state after this episode. Put the financial responsibility back onto the family that created these creatures, rather than onto the decent hard working folk that pay their dues and receive very little recognition for doing so.

The animals that have done this need to be named and shamed. Good on the police treating this as criminal damage.
Not all DSS tenants are bad news, however I do agree that the benefits system is all wrong to enable career-DSS tenants to be able to live in highly desirable neighbourhoods, that the average working family aspire to, and indeed could take most of their working lives to be able to afford to live in such areas..
It makes my P**s boil to think that my taxes contribute to the lifestyles of the scum that have done this to Mr Schofield.
These people should be devoid of help from the state after this episode. Put the financial responsibility back onto the family that created these creatures, rather than onto the decent hard working folk that pay their dues and receive very little recognition for doing so.temmer

It's very biased of the media to keep showing bad tenants when you get bad landlords too. Not too long ago I went to the paper about an appalling landlord I had at the time, and they didn't want to know because it had not gone through the court. So how has this been allowed to go to the papers?

I'm in no way condoning what these tenants have done to this house (if they have) but you do need the story from both sides. You'd be surprised what some landlords get away with behaving like.

It's very biased of the media to keep showing bad tenants when you get bad landlords too. Not too long ago I went to the paper about an appalling landlord I had at the time, and they didn't want to know because it had not gone through the court. So how has this been allowed to go to the papers?
I'm in no way condoning what these tenants have done to this house (if they have) but you do need the story from both sides. You'd be surprised what some landlords get away with behaving like.beckym82

lol make your mind up Nicknack, first part agrees I was referring to what I know (what else could I comment on as fact), yet, according to you, Im reffering to ALL DSS ?? That chips bigger than I thought. I was raised in a Council House, it was a lovely house in a great area, but I wanted more when I was was able, I worked hard, still try to, and was lucky enough to get a mortgage for a nice house in a Private (non Council for your benefit) Estate, tell me why my neighbour should have the detached next door paid for through Housing Benefit (me and others)? There is perfectly reasonable Socail Housing elsewhere on the town.

lol make your mind up Nicknack, first part agrees I was referring to what I know (what else could I comment on as fact), yet, according to you, Im reffering to ALL DSS ?? That chips bigger than I thought. I was raised in a Council House, it was a lovely house in a great area, but I wanted more when I was was able, I worked hard, still try to, and was lucky enough to get a mortgage for a nice house in a Private (non Council for your benefit) Estate, tell me why my neighbour should have the detached next door paid for through Housing Benefit (me and others)? There is perfectly reasonable Socail Housing elsewhere on the town.antihypocrisy

to whom it may concern. i am so called dss scum who is dissadvantaged enough not to be able to own my own home. i am ashamed to say i am a private tennant and have been since i suffered 2 heart attacks and was unable to pay my mortgage because i was too ill to work. it's so humiliating to go cap in hand to a landlord and beg for a roof over my head, knowing i might trash the joint, but in 14yrs the council has paid the landlord direct. i wouldnt dream of handling the rent money incase i bought drugs and booze like we all do. my landlord has installed cctv in every room which is taped 24/7 incase i go on a bender and do a runner with the 50 inch plasma etc, etc,....but no, in all honesty, we cannot all be classed as scum. some letting agents charge 12% not to keep an eye on a house. i agree that there should be a tennant register landlords can check and, am on a list for a detached house near you on a private estate i could never afford in a million yrs. but i wont moan about the biggots that live next to me.
p.s. my landlord is brill.

to whom it may concern. i am so called dss scum who is dissadvantaged enough not to be able to own my own home. i am ashamed to say i am a private tennant and have been since i suffered 2 heart attacks and was unable to pay my mortgage because i was too ill to work. it's so humiliating to go cap in hand to a landlord and beg for a roof over my head, knowing i might trash the joint, but in 14yrs the council has paid the landlord direct. i wouldnt dream of handling the rent money incase i bought drugs and booze like we all do. my landlord has installed cctv in every room which is taped 24/7 incase i go on a bender and do a runner with the 50 inch plasma etc, etc,....but no, in all honesty, we cannot all be classed as scum. some letting agents charge 12% not to keep an eye on a house. i agree that there should be a tennant register landlords can check and, am on a list for a detached house near you on a private estate i could never afford in a million yrs. but i wont moan about the biggots that live next to me.
p.s. my landlord is brill.turbobox

Good for you turbobox Im sure you are, you dont need to afford the house next to me, mine and others tax's pays for a family to live there rent free. While you have time on your hands you would do well to look up the definition of the word Bigot.

Good for you turbobox Im sure you are, you dont need to afford the house next to me, mine and others tax's pays for a family to live there rent free. While you have time on your hands you would do well to look up the definition of the word Bigot.antihypocrisy

noun
a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.

opinion ?? you show an inability to accept private tenants as equal for some reason ?
and thank you for paying your taxes to keep me above the impoverished people you think others than yourself are

impoverished
adjective
1.

poor enough to need help from others
2.

destroyed financially; "the broken fortunes of the family"

big·ot
[big-uht] Show IPA
noun
a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.
opinion ?? you show an inability to accept private tenants as equal for some reason ?
and thank you for paying your taxes to keep me above the impoverished people you think others than yourself are
impoverished
adjective
1.
poor enough to need help from others [syn: destitute]
2.
destroyed financially; "the broken fortunes of the family" [syn: broken]turbobox

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?

So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.

I show an inabilty to accept private tenents as equal?? Read it again instead of making up what you think I wrote. DSS in detached housing ok?
So turbobox, I disagree with having to fund Housing Benefit so a family can live rent free in a detached house and that makes me a bigot? lol Using your logic you are just as bigotted for not taking into account the views of neighbouring families. The hard working (not lucky, you make your own luck in this world) who strife to make their lives more comfortable by their own efforts. As I said on a previous thread I make no apologies for being a tad miffed when the same neighbours smoke like chimneys and have 4 times the the amount of wine bottles, stella tins (other brands are present too) out for recycling every fortnight. We have a great Welfare System but is routinely abused by those who have no intention of working or finding work.antihypocrisy

i may only rent private on an established council estate, which has a history dating back to the early 70's, a mixture of tenants here do work aswell as people who claim housing benefit, but we all have better things to do than count the numerous brands of intoxicants in each others recycle box !!. you need to move on and accept that you aint getting paid enough in your present job and resent others who look down upon your failings as a bread winner.
but putting point scoring aside, my sympathies go to the landlord in this case. no one deserves that happening to them. and wish him well in future ventures....i'm finished now, so i'm off to smack up, get pi**ed and daub graffiti on next doors garage before he comes home from being a higher tax bracketed earner.

i may only rent private on an established council estate, which has a history dating back to the early 70's, a mixture of tenants here do work aswell as people who claim housing benefit, but we all have better things to do than count the numerous brands of intoxicants in each others recycle box !!. you need to move on and accept that you aint getting paid enough in your present job and resent others who look down upon your failings as a bread winner.
but putting point scoring aside, my sympathies go to the landlord in this case. no one deserves that happening to them. and wish him well in future ventures....i'm finished now, so i'm off to smack up, get pi**ed and daub graffiti on next doors garage before he comes home from being a higher tax bracketed earner.turbobox

Just to make people aware, the local housing allowance - LHA - is the scheme that pays rent for those on low incomes. It does not work the same way as a council house and many people who are entitled to LHA do not actually get all their rent covered. Not that this has anything to do with the prejudice against 'DSS' claimants.

Just to make people aware, the local housing allowance - LHA - is the scheme that pays rent for those on low incomes. It does not work the same way as a council house and many people who are entitled to LHA do not actually get all their rent covered. Not that this has anything to do with the prejudice against 'DSS' claimants.beckym82

antihypocrisy you are a joke . i am on dss and yes i work but as it is low pay they help with the rent. i do not like being tarred with the same brush as the scum who do the damage etc.. i actually help my landlord out by doing work and improving things in my rented house and have done for the last 10 years or so...the same as i would if i could afford a morgage .. so get of your high and mighty horse you plank thinking you better than everyone else and the above comment is probably true as i can imagine you being a curtain twitcher

antihypocrisy you are a joke . i am on dss and yes i work but as it is low pay they help with the rent. i do not like being tarred with the same brush as the scum who do the damage etc.. i actually help my landlord out by doing work and improving things in my rented house and have done for the last 10 years or so...the same as i would if i could afford a morgage .. so get of your high and mighty horse you plank thinking you better than everyone else and the above comment is probably true as i can imagine you being a curtain twitcherdarlomaz01

I wont assume the tenants of this property were on a low income, however I do think the agency has to shoulder some blame for not checking out the references, it's very common for people to lie on tenant application forms and it's about time that some letting agencies ensure they give their landlords the best protection

I wont assume the tenants of this property were on a low income, however I do think the agency has to shoulder some blame for not checking out the references, it's very common for people to lie on tenant application forms and it's about time that some letting agencies ensure they give their landlords the best protectionDetectiveDenise

I remember a rented property being trashed in Darlington, in much the same way. What is shocking is that the tenants worked and paid taxes. ...So it just goes to show all working & taxpaying tenants are not to be trusted too.
There's a couple I know who are claiming Housing Benefit etc. and live in a council house. They have done for years and have done it up lovely.
Prior to this I thought all working people were nice and all DSS people were nasty. ...Now I don't know what to think; what a tricky world we live in.

I remember a rented property being trashed in Darlington, in much the same way. What is shocking is that the tenants worked and paid taxes. ...So it just goes to show all working & taxpaying tenants are not to be trusted too.
There's a couple I know who are claiming Housing Benefit etc. and live in a council house. They have done for years and have done it up lovely.
Prior to this I thought all working people were nice and all DSS people were nasty. ...Now I don't know what to think; what a tricky world we live in.mrvunderbar

its all so simple really, if you trash others property you are scum, and as such any benefits you have must be stopped and handed over to the owner. you can talk forever on who is right or wrong but scum isnt worth bothering with, make them live in a tin shed

its all so simple really, if you trash others property you are scum, and as such any benefits you have must be stopped and handed over to the owner. you can talk forever on who is right or wrong but scum isnt worth bothering with, make them live in a tin shedyougi bear

landlords should be held accountable, and named and shamed for having scum in their houses. also, local residents should have the right to seek removal for example, four households complain and the scum are out.

landlords should be held accountable, and named and shamed for having scum in their houses. also, local residents should have the right to seek removal for example, four households complain and the scum are out.stiv

so stiv, you been drinking that moronic juice ?. do you also think councils should be named and shamed aswell ?. and as for residents having the right to seek removal, what do you think about vigilante neighbourhood gangs enforcing rules ?. mobility scooter riders with high vis jackets metering out justice with cattle prods ?. bring in shanty towns for residents who listen to radio 2 after 9.30pm. better still, give everyone a 4 bedroom on a private estate in darlo with enough money to mentally subdue them into a tenants submission.....up the revolution !!!

so stiv, you been drinking that moronic juice ?. do you also think councils should be named and shamed aswell ?. and as for residents having the right to seek removal, what do you think about vigilante neighbourhood gangs enforcing rules ?. mobility scooter riders with high vis jackets metering out justice with cattle prods ?. bring in shanty towns for residents who listen to radio 2 after 9.30pm. better still, give everyone a 4 bedroom on a private estate in darlo with enough money to mentally subdue them into a tenants submission.....up the revolution !!!turbobox